A coalition of elected officials from Southeast Michigan is rallying behind new legislation aimed at helping residents pay their water bills, preventing water shutoffs, and funding $2,500 in plumbing for homeowners across the state.
The measure is designed to fund assistance for low-income families and individuals.
“In Detroit, more than 28,000 households benefit from our DWSD Lifeline Plan to help them address past-due bills and establish monthly bills they can manage. Senator Chang’s legislation provides sustainable funding to provide residents in communities across Michigan access to affordable water service,” Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan said in a press conference. “This is a statewide need and I’m proud to stand with these leaders in support of this legislation so that all Michigan municipalities and townships can have the same access to affordable water services as Detroit residents.”
Under the new legislation by Sen. Stephanie Chang, the Michigan Water Affordability Program will introduce a $2 fee on all residential water bills.
More than 317,000 Michigan residents were behind on their water bills in 2020, according to date from the Michigan Department of Human Resources.
